It has been a "Holly-day" tradition for nearly 40 years, and this year, the annual Holly Dickens Festival is serving up even more family entertainment.

Hope Ponsart, executive director for the Main Street Holly Downtown Development Authority, said the festival begins with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23.

"That is hosted by the Holly Chamber of Commerce and that's when they announce the 'family of the year.' The award is actually presented on December 7th," Ponsart said.

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Every Saturday and Sunday, festival attendees will have the opportunity to get caught up in the story of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," shop and dine in the decorated historic downtown Holly, sip hot chocolate, eat a roasted chestnut, take a horse-drawn carriage ride and listen to the sounds of the street-corner Christmas carolers.

"It's one of the oldest Dickens festivals in the country ... it's become a holiday tradition for thousands of Michigan families," Ponsart said. "It's just a very unique experience -- with all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, this is a chance to step back into a peaceful and quiet time."

Visitors may meet the Crachits, the Ghosts or even Ebenezer Scrooge himself -- all of the characters from Dickens' classic holiday story.

The Blue Heron Theatre Company will put on free performances of "A Christmas Carol" on a stage right on the streets of downtown Holly each Saturday.

"(The festival is) truly a family event, anyone from any age from a toddler to an elderly person would find something at the Dickens festival," Ponsart said.

An interactive interpretation of the story also will be performed by George and Diane Kullis. The narration requires audience participation to play the parts of the some characters.

Children will also be able to meet and grab a photo with Santa Claus for free. There will be milk and cookies, along with a craft activity for the holidays.

On the last weekend of the festival, there will be the "Holly-day" parade at noon Dec. 8.

John W. LaCroix Jr., director of the Great Lakes Marketplace, said the festival brings in a lot of business to the downtown area.

"All of this is local and Michigan, it's just a nice way to promote your local economy," Ponsart said. "I would just like to invite everyone to come and experience it and enjoy just the simple pleasures of the true spirit of Christmas."

A weekend newspaper will be handed out at the festival so visitors can get up-to-date event times.

The festival is just a phenomenal family event ... it's just a great event for families to enjoy the season -- it's wonderful," LaCroix said.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Saturdays

-- 12 p.m. -- Opening of the festival, children's parade with Queen of the Festival